Chicago Bears 2023 Mock Offseason: Lock And Load

Part of every Chicago Bears 2023 mock offseason is exploring different scenarios that can play out. It serves as a reminder of how unpredictable everything can be. GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus can’t count on everything going their way. They must have multiple backup plans when certain players aren’t there for them to snag. The best organizations roll with the punches. Undeniably, this spring might be the most important for this franchise in a decade.

The most cap space of any team by miles. The #1 overall pick in the draft. Poles couldn’t ask for a better setup. It would be difficult to mess this up. Then again, previous Bears GMs have wasted such opportunities. This time has to be different. Here is another outlook that makes sense for getting them back on track.

This Chicago Bears 2023 mock offseason is about inside out.

Cuts

• OG Cody Whitehair – $5.8 million saved
• DE Al-Quadin Muhammad – $4 million saved

Trades

Bears send #1 pick to Titans for #11 pick, 2nd in 2023, 3rd in 2023, 1st in 2024, 3rd in 2024, and DT Justin Simmons

Poles and Eberflus simply couldn’t turn down this kind of deal. Tennessee is desperate for a quarterback. They make that clear by handing over one of the two or three best defensive tackles in the entire NFL. Simmons is a menace, demanding constant double teams, and even that can’t stop him. He is the ideal fit for the Bears’ three-technique position. On top of that, Chicago also gets the additional 1st rounder in 2024 they’ll be looking for, along with some other nice picks.

Re-signings/Extensions

• Jeffery Simmons – 5-year extension for $115 million
• David Montgomery – 3-year deal for $19.5 million
• Cole Kmet – 4-year extension for $48 million
• Darnell Mooney – 4-year extension for $60 million
• Nicholas Morrow – 2-year contract for $10 million
• Armon Watts – 1-year deal for $1.08 million
• N’Keal Harry – 1-year deal for $1.08 million
• Trevon Wesco – 1-year deal for $1.08 million
• Matthew Adams – 1-year deal for $1.08 million
• Dane Cruikshank – 1-year deal for $1.08 million
• DeAndre Houston-Carson – 1-year deal for $1.165 million
• Patrick Scales – 1-year deal $1.165 million
• Josh Blackwell – ERFA deal for $750,000

Free Agency

• OT Jawaan Taylor – 4-year contract for $57 million
• WR D.J. Chark – 3-year contract for $35 million
• DE Zach Allen – 3-year contract for $37.5 million
• LB Bobby Okereke – 3-year contract for $25.5 million
• DT Poona Ford – 2-year contract for $12.5 million

People will knock Taylor for his subpar run blocking. Here’s the thing. The Bears had the best running game they’ve ever had in franchise history this season. They won three games. Justin Fields needs protection. Taylor seems to be the best pass-protecting tackle available. Chark continues to prove himself as an underrated target with speed and route-running skills when healthy. Allen is a versatile defensive lineman who can play inside and outside, bringing size, length, and power. Okereke played in Eberflus’ defense multiple seasons in Indianapolis and looked good. Ford is a quality run-stuffer that has improved his interior pass rush too.

The Draft

• Trade: #11 pick and 4th in 2023 to the Panthers for #9 pick

1st Round (via CAR): Peter Skoronski, OL, Northwestern

Having nabbed their dominant defensive tackle with Simmons, Poles is free to pursue more protection for his quarterback. He jumps back into the top 10 with another trade, snagging Skoronski. Some may see him as a tackle. Not the Bears. They will see him as their new left guard. Make no mistake. This young man has Pro Bowl skills, from his athleticism to his power and technique. Shifting inside will negate his average length and allow his best tools to shine bright. Some compare him to Cowboys star Zack Martin.

2nd Round (via TEN): Keion White, EDGE, Georgia Tech

Easily one of the biggest winners of the Senior Bowl. White dominated drills all week in Mobile. That shouldn’t be a surprise. He was excellent in 2022, with 7.5 sacks and 14 tackles for a loss. The crazy part was five years ago, he was a tight end. So he’s relatively new to his position. It appears the light switch has already flipped. He has the size, quickness, bend, and strength to be a constant pest.

2nd Round (via BAL): Tuli Tuipulotu, EDGE, USC

Another breakout stud this past season. Pac-12 teams had no answers for Tuipulotu as he racked up 13.5 sacks and 22 tackles for a loss. He’s big enough for defensive end with good power and quickness. He plays with a hot motor, never giving up on plays. Better still, he demonstrated an ability to move around the line of scrimmage, exploiting matchups almost everywhere.

3rd Round: Jayden Reed, WR, Michigan State

Another Senior Bowl standout. Reed was a productive player for the Spartans but never came across as eye-popping. Then people saw him constantly torch defensive backs in practice with his mix of speed and route-running skills. He has good height, solid hands, and understands how to create separation.

3rd Round (via TEN): DeMarvion Overshown, LB, Texas

This Bears 2023 mock offseason is about following what the top brass desire in prospects. They’ve repeatedly said they want athletes with length and who love football. Overshown checks those boxes. He’s a 6’4 linebacker with 4.5 speed and plays with a violent temperament any coach would love.

4th Round (via PHI): Tyjae Spears, HB, Tulane

Montgomery and Herbert are an excellent pure-runner combination for the Bears. What they don’t have is a legitimate receiving threat. Trestan Ebner couldn’t fill that void. Spears can. He’s fast, cat-quick, and a very good route runner out of the backfield. He creates matchup problems wherever he lines up.

5th Round: Julius Brents, CB, Kansas State

Chicago got a great look at Brents during the Senior Bowl. He is tall and extremely long for a cornerback. Wide receivers had a miserable time dealing with his physicality. His athleticism is within desirable parameters, and he showed lots of progress in his ball skills with four interceptions this past season.

5th Round (via BAL): Jake Haener, QB, Fresno State

There is no crime in the Bears looking for insurance at quarterback. Fields has health concerns, given the way he plays. Adding Haener provides instant quality to their backup situation. He’s intelligent, instinctive, and extremely accurate with the ball. His modest 6’1 size and the fact he turns 24 in March will push him down the board.

7th Round: Zach Kuntz, TE, Old Dominion

Kuntz was ascending after a great 2021 season with 695 yards and five touchdowns. Sadly injuries derailed him in 2022. Teams didn’t get to see him further exploit his mixture of 6’8 size and route-running prowess. This is the kind of calculated gamble every team should take late in a draft.